The oil filter plays a vital role in helping to protect your car engine from damage, even though it is a small and relatively cheap part. It cleans the oil of impurities before the oil reaches the delicate parts inside the engine. In this article, we explain how the filter works, when to change it and how to choose the right type.
How Does an Oil Filter Work?
Oil circulates constantly inside the engine. On its way, it picks up tiny metal particles, combustion deposits and dust. It then passes through the filter, which traps these impurities in a special filtering layer. As a result, clean oil returns to coat the moving parts.
Most filters also contain a valve that stops the oil draining back when the engine is switched off. Therefore, oil reaches the upper parts quickly at the next start-up. Those first moments after starting cause the most engine wear, especially in the morning.
The Filter’s Role in Helping Protect Your Car Engine
When the filter fills up with impurities, less oil flows through it. In that case, a bypass valve opens so the oil can pass without being filtered. However, this means the impurities go straight to the engine.
For example, tiny metal particles scratch the surfaces of the cylinders and the crankshaft bearings. In addition, engine performance and fuel consumption suffer as friction increases. A clean filter is therefore essential to protect your car engine in the long term.
Signs That Put Your Engine at Risk
The general rule is to change the filter every time you change the oil. Even so, some signs deserve your attention:
- New oil turns dirty quickly, soon after the oil change.
- The oil pressure warning light comes on in the instrument cluster.
- A ticking noise from the top of the engine on a cold start.
- Oil leaking around the base of the filter itself.
How to Choose the Right Filter for Your Car
First, use the part number given in the owner’s manual or by the dealer. Second, choose a genuine filter or one from a well-known brand with equivalent specifications. On the other hand, counterfeit filters may look identical on the outside, but their filtering layer is much weaker.
In addition, make sure the new rubber seal is fitted correctly. A wrong fit can cause an oil leak while you drive.
Simple Maintenance, Big Results
Servicing the oil filter regularly is a simple but necessary step to give your engine a longer life. It is also part of a plan to protect your car engine, alongside the right oil and regular inspection. If you doubt the condition of the engine, a computer car inspection reads stored faults accurately. The team at Jordan Car Inspection Center in Sharjah is happy to help.
Address: University Street, Industrial Area 13, Sharjah · Phone/WhatsApp: 055 572 2214 · Message us on WhatsApp · Open 24 hours.
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To learn about vehicle registration and renewal requirements in the UAE, visit the official website of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).